BEZZECCHI CALLS MISANO CRASH ANALYSIS PAINFUL BUT SAYS 2026 TITLE FIGHT IS STILL ON

Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi insists he is still fully committed to a 2026 MotoGP title challenge, even after a costly weekend at the San Marino Grand Prix. The Italian believes the fight can still be taken “down to the wire” despite losing significant ground to his rivals. Bezzecchi had been in position to convert pole into victory at Misano, describing his start as a “perfect launch” from the front. However, his race ended early when he crashed from the lead at Turn 13 on the opening lap, turning what looked like a strong opportunity into a major setback.

Speaking after the incident, Bezzecchi said the analysis of what happened was “painful”, even if it ultimately clarified the mistake. He explained that he felt he had approached Turn 13 “off-line” after a headshake in the previous corner, and that the data then confirmed what he “already kind of understood”. “Well, I analysed everything - the data and everything - from my mistake, trying to understand what I did wrong in all the details,” he said ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. “And once I understood, which I already kind of understood without looking at the data. Looking at the data is, at the end, painful, but it gives you the chance to understand in detail.”

The crash proved especially damaging in the standings. It was his fifth Sunday non-score in seven rounds, dropping him 33 points behind the joint championship leaders Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin, with Marquez winning at Misano. Despite the setback, Bezzecchi does not see the gap as an insurmountable problem, insisting it is not “crazy”. “No, because it’s better to not have any setbacks,” he said. “But it’s part of the game. We are fast, we are fighting, and we must risk, unfortunately.”

He added that the situation is not made easier by the fact that every weekend brings different challenges. “Obviously, it’s painful, but at the end it’s our job. So, it’s not easier every time. Every time is different.” Bezzecchi also pointed to the championship format as a reason the points gap can swing quickly. “It’s a big gap, but it’s also not crazy, because now, with the format we have, the possibility to gain and lose points is a little bit bigger.”

While he acknowledged the level of competition, naming both Marquez and Martin as “tough” riders, his focus is on getting back to the consistency that defined his earlier momentum. “At the moment, honestly, my target is to try to be back on my consistency,” he said. He explained that after an injury he had returned well, but that before the injury he had started to experience “up and down”, and that in the period since, mistakes have crept in. “Before, I was super consistent, and then I started to make a couple of mistakes, too much. Then the injury, then the comeback was good, and last Sunday I made a mistake.”

Even with the disappointment of Misano still fresh, Bezzecchi said there were positives to take from the weekend. After reviewing the crash, he said he and the team would “take out the positives”, highlighting “many positives, starting from the speed, but also the consistency during the sprint.” “Many positives. Obviously, a bit sad about the end, but we have another chance this weekend.”

Rather than letting the latest error derail his season, Bezzecchi says he is not giving up on his title hopes and remains determined to keep pushing for the championship. His stated aim is to return to his best rhythm first, and then translate that into being competitive and staying in the fight “until the end.”